Padlock



July 21, 1936. s, Q SLAYMAKER 2,048,571

PADLOCK Filed April 29, 1936 Patented July 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PADLooK Samuel C. Slaymaker, Lancaster, Pa., assignor to The Slaymaker Lock Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 29,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to locks, and more particularly to padlocks, with reference to impro-vements in that class of such devices commonly known as the sliding shackle type.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a lock of improved construction embodying a simplied inner locking mechanism adapted to be assembled easily and capable of being manufactured and sold at low cost as com- ,pared with less eiiicient locks of the same general character.

-Another principal object is to provide a strong and sturdy lock having qualities of more expensive constructions built into its structure and rendering it especially durable and break orV pickproof.

Other objects, in addition to the general concept and advantages of the invention, will appear and be best understood from the following description with reference to the attached drawing, illustrating one practicablev form and embodiment of the same already in commercial production.

In said drawing:

Figure l1 is a front face elevation ofk a padlock comprising the invention; Y

Fig. .2 is a like view of the same with the front face part removed to reveal its inner structure and operative elements, shown in locked position; Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the removed front face part inverted; Fig. 3e is a fragmentary View thereof illustrating a detail of possible modification;

Fig. 4 is a side or edge view of the same part;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of a part of Fig. Y

6, illustrating a modification;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of one of t the lock elements; and

latter.

The illustrative lock comprises a special form of casing, or casing member, I2 and a generally conventional J-shaped shackle VI3 slidable therein, combined with locking elements allowing the shackle to be withdrawn and swung on its longer arm pivot when released by an opening key.

'Said casing, or casing member, I2 consists of a single or solid piece of strong metal cast or molded into a hollow cavitied body of essentially Fig. 11 is a like view of a modification of the 1936, Serial'No. 77,023

rectangular block form, having a substantial Wall thickness throughout rendering it uncommonly strong. The front and backfaces thereof are in this instance formed with circulary centers (see Fig. 1.) defined by edges or ridges 5 i I2a, the back one of which centers is superiicially convexed for added strength and harmony of design, and the front one of which centers is provided Vwith an opening I4 therein making the casing effectually open-faced so that the associated parts can be assembled therein easily and conveniently. Around the inner side of said( opening a shoulder I2b-is formed in the side wall of the body, and across said opening parallel pairs one horizontal and one vertical of parti- 15 tion walls I2C-I2d and I2e---I2fy extend from the back Wall of the body in T relation to each other (see Fig. 2), said shoulder and partition wallsv being on a level with each other for a purpose which will be explained presently. At one side, 20 inner thickened wall portions or buttresses I2C and |211 in the body are formed on opposite sides of the partition walls I2c and I 2d, or with a space I5 therebetween, these being Vfor a purpose also to appear. At the top, the casing body is desirably formed with what may be Vcalled post-" portions I2 and at the bottom a hole I6 provides for insertion of a key. Y

Theaforementioned opening I4 in the front face of the casing is closed by a cover plate I'I ttedthereinto and secured in place by crimping or swaging the surrounding edge or ridge IZB of the casing marginally thereover. This plate is externally convexed correspondingly to the back wall of the casing for conformity with its design, but is flat on the inner side (see Figs. 3 and 4). It rests squarely upon the co-level inner annular shoulder I 2b and cross-wise `T related partition walls I 2CI2d and I2e-I2f of the casing so as to be held firm and solid in position, and jointly with thegback wall is thereby rigidied against the likelihood of breaking orl vcrushing from blows struck upon it. A lug I'Ia on its inner side fits into a recess formed in the cross-wise partition wall I2c, resting upon the latter, andthe two are jointly apertured to provide a bearing hole I8 for the end of a key (see Fig. 7). A second shorter lug -I 'Ib thereon ts into a similar recess formed in the cross-wise partition wall I2d and together therewith forms a ward for the key, and a third lug I Ic rests retentively on a keyguard I 9 fitted in the casing across the key-hole Viiilat the bottom.

The aforenamed shackle I3 extends into the casing through the post portions I 2 at `the 5 top, with its longer arm I3a rotatably tting Y in an elongated recess 20 provided through the thickened wall portion or buttress I2g and into the adjacent portion or buttress I2h and so spanning the space I5 between the twoisee Fig. 67) 60..

and with its shorter arm I3b iitting into an abbreviated recess 2U' provided in the post portion at the opposite side. GuidedV to slideand swivel inY its receptive bore, said longer arm ofV` the shackle is vformed with a side recess 2l atv its end merging into a subjacent annular groove -or'reduced portionrZ l",fand into thisrecess a pin 22 engages to limit the outward slide movement by a shoulder striking thereagainstgwhile allowing the arm to swivel by reception within the groove. Said'pin,.1itting through a hole inthe' rbuttress wall beside the shackle arm, is primarily shown-to be provided as a separate element retained in place within said wall, but itvmay in-- Vstead advantageously Vand sometimes preferably be-'formed as a projectionpart of the cover plate Y Y.'ax'iiarzita"ge Yof 'decreasingthe actualY number of separateparts; i' Said longer arm is also formed with detents 23 in .opposite sides, Aat the point of ,Y spanning the space |75 between the thickened wall rportionisfor buttresses 12g and |211V when Vin the `locked orA f ully'inserted position. The purpose vof thesewfillbeexplained presently. A springf 24 appliedunderthe same arm within its receptive borefseivesto egipelfthershackle'with a snap actionl when it is released from the Vlocked position.

Y. e -Fitted in the vvspace *between the horizontally --crosswise partition `walls. I2c and I2d is a locking pawl member comprising a spring 25 of hair-pin YI"o'1`q1.n-,`-ha'ving its legsarand 25Vb VV-straddling fthe longer' arm of the shackle and engaging normally Y in the detent's 23er the same (see Figs. 2 and 7). VPThe springy actionof thismember of course tendsto press the two legs'thereof Ytogether and so keepjsthemrmly engaged withtheV shackle, with-ino possibility of shaking or even ,f orcing apart by'a pull upon'th'shackle. It is retained acebythewalls which encompass it, the backjwall andfcover plate of thecasing contributingtoa complete boxing on al1 sides Vand the back;

Vwall beingeadditionally recessed accommodatively thereto, "sel that it is heldtiglit andsecure withoutv needofgother fastening.V f

Between the vertically `crossewisepartition ,walls lz'e-and |21? a seriesy of slots 26 is formed in the back wall of the casing body seeFig. 2) with a corresponsive ribbing 26' of the partition VVwall ati one side, anda sin'iilarcorrelatedY series of VslotsrZ'l are "formed inY the inner surface of the coverrplate (see Fig; 3) VThese slots provideV for one or-more Vkey-wardsY 28 to be tted into place between said partition wallsrand between saidiback'wall and cover plate of the casing,` depending upon choice and upon the key designed to Yiit'theI lock, the seriedslots allowing for diifer- Y entfwardfand' key combinations. Only one ward is 'shown in Figs. 2,V 5 and 6, which coupled with the ward formed by the cover plate lug lib and its opposed recessed portion of the partition Wall IZdr-eallyV makes two, but the modification of,Y

. Fig".v 9lf`shows three wards set selectively in the slotsand so of'coursecomplicating .the key ac- "commodation Said wards 28infthis instance Ycomprise{mere}platea members having a lug 28aA eitherV at one end' (see Fig. 10) ,or at both ends (see Fig. V1l), adapted to rit in any of the slots ofeith'erltheback wall or cover plate, or both,

Yand awidth to tfsnugly b'etweensaid partition` walls-'I e"andlnf with side balancing betweenk Vthe ribbing ofrribs 26 in the one of said Walls. 'I'h'us'rfitt'd in place thew'ards are held tightly secureand cannot'be dislocated from position by Vshaking-orfstriliing'- the; 10ck.f Central -slOl-@Ilfli before explained in detail. y Having'thus described my invention, whatLV circular openings 29 therein provide for key' passage and turning of the proper key, whereas'. a false ory noni-fitting keymay be inserted but cannot be turned therein. Y f g, In Fig. 5, a fitted key 30 isrshown inserted into place with its tiprend extending into the bearing.'

opening I8 therefor formed between Ythe lug |15" vand opposed portionV of the walll I2C, and ,withVVV Y' .predetermined side-cuts therein registering with i the respective wardopenings-One being the ward 28V and the other ,being the ward formed by the lug I'lb and wall` |2das before mentioned. In

' this position the end passes between` the legs or `fthe spring pawl member 25 (see also Fig. 7) and Yis so adapted to spread saidlegs apart when turned. However, said keyvinr thisflgurehas 'not A, been turned and the operative elementsV remain stillV in locked position.V Fig. 6V shows the key; i

turned a full ninety degreesfwith-itsend spread'= ing the Vspr-ing legs apart and the shackle Ythereby released to the limit of its outward ejected posi# tion. Thus released,Y the shorter armV may'A bev swung in either direction on its longer arm pivot as common `to locksof the character.` Y

The strength and, simplicity of this construction will beappreciated, Vwhile the' advantage-of the solid'and anti-loose assembly of parts will be apparent. Other advantages of the'im'provef ment Willbe recognized by vthose familiar with i' lock manufacture, including the open face struc- Y ture facilitating the placement and assemblage of theope'ratingparts and the eliminationjofV all `fastening therefor, the variousv parts `being merely dropped into-place and the cover plate be#l ing then-applie'd. l' Y *f It will be obviousof course that various'changes 5 in form and arrangement of parts,fand diierent combinations and subcombinations thereof, canV claim as newrand desire to secure by ent of the United Statesrist .1.

1. A padlockfcomprising va metal casing body having an opening in its jfront face, a cover'plate secured in said opening-,a shackle extending into the casing with an arm journalledfinside wall Letters: Fat-A Vportions of vthe sameV thickened torec'eive it,`a-

spring pawl V'member having legs Yengaging' said, arm ofthe shackle at opposite sides between said wall portions, means limiting theoutward slidingl movement of the shackle upon release, Ya passage, for a key to extend between the legs ofthepawl member so as tospread theni'apartv to release thejshackle arm, and atleast onekeyward inserted jin said passage, said wardbeing Vsecuredf betweenrthe backrwallvfand cover, plate .ofi the" casing b y endwise fit'into slots ,formed in each.

2. A padlock according to claim 1, wherein'th Wardsecured'in the` key lpassagerY comprises a'V centrally apertured plate, having an end1forme'd76j to't into ,anyY Yoneof` aV Series vof slots formed inV said Vback wallA and inY said'cover plate of the casing.

3. A padlock according to claim 1, whereinthe ward secured in the key passage. comprises21.7.51

centrally apertured plate having opposite ends adapted to iit into any one of a series of opposed corresponding slots formed in said back wall and cover plate of the casing.

4. A padlock, comprising a metal casing body having an opening in its face, a cover plate secured in said opening with an inward rest upon a shoulder formed therearound, a shackle extending into the casing with an arm slidably journalled in side wall portions of the same thickened to receive it, a spring pawl member having legs engaging said arm of the shackle at opposite sides between said wall portions, a stop pin also engaging said arm of the shackle to limit its outward sliding movement, a key7 passage extending between the legs of said pawl member so that a key inserted thereinto may be turned to spread them apart to release the shackle arm, and removably fixed key wards secured in sai-d passage between the back wall and cover plate of the casing by engagement in one or the other of the same having receptive means therefor.

5. A padlock, comprising a solid metal cavitied casing body having thickened wall portions and an opening in its face, a cover plate secured in said opening and bearing inwardly upon a shoulder formed therearound, a shackle extending into the casing with an arm slidably journalled in said thickened wall portions thereof at one side, a spring pawl member having legs engaging said arm of the shackle at opposite sides between said wall portions, a stop pin tted in the casing wall also engaging said arm of the shackle to limit the outward slide movement thereof, a key passage extending between the :legs of said pawl member providing for the insertion of av key tjo be turned so as to spread them apart to release the shackle arm, and one or more key wards placed in said passage with a securing between the back wall and cover plate of the casing by endwise fitting into one or more opposed slots formed in the latter, combine-d with a key-guard at the entrance of said key passage.

6. A padlock, comprising a solid metal cavitied casing body of substantially rectangular block form having front and back circular face portions with an opening in the front portion making it eiectually open-faced, parallel pairs of partition walls extending from the back wall of the casing in T relation across said opening, a cover plate ritably secured in said opening upon a shoulder therein and against said pairs of partition walls, a shackle extending into the casing with an arm slidably journalled in body wall portions of the same on opposite sides of one pair of the partition walls at one side of the casing, a spring pawl member fitted between said one pair of partition walls having legs engaging said arm of the shackle at opposite sides between said body wall portions, a stop pin extended through one of the journaling wall portions into engagement with said arm of the shackle to limit its outward sliding movement, a key passage formed in the other of said pairs of partition walls and extending between the legs of said pawl member for inserting a key to be turned to Spread said legs apart in release of the shackle arm, and at least one key ward secured in said passage between said other pair of partition walls with a tting into correlated slots formed in the back wall and cover plate of the casing.

7. In a padlock, a solid metal casing body having front and back face portions with an opening in one of said portions making it effectually openfaced, a shoulder formed around the inner edge of said opening, parallel pairs of partition walls extending from the back wall of the casing body in T relation across said opening iiush with said inner shoulder, a cover plate fitted in said opening against the shoulder and said cross-wise pairs of partition walls, a spring pawl member having inwardly pressed legs fitted between one of the pairs of partition walls, key wards disposed between the other pair of partition walls and there within providing a key passage extending between the legs of the spring pawl member, one of said wards being formed by and the remainingbeing removably engaged between the back wall and cover plate portions of the casing, a shackle extending into the casing with one arm passing between the legs of the spring pawl member and engageable thereby for locking, and means limiting the released sliding movement of the shackle; said cover plate being secured in the aforesaid opening of the casing with surrounding edge portions of the casing body marginally overlapping the same.

8. A padlock, Vcomprising a metal casing body having thickened wall portions at one side and an opening in its front face, a cover plate fitted and secured in said opening, a shackle extending into the casing with an arm journalled in said thickened wall portions at one side, a spring pawl member having legs engaging said arm of the shackle between said wall portions, means limiting the outward sliding movement of the shackle upon release, a passage for a key to extend between the legs of the pawl member so as to spread them apart to release the shackle arm, and at least one key ward disposed in said passage, said ward being secured between partition walls formed in the casing body by t into any one of a series of slots formed in Vsaid partition walls.

9. A padlock, comprising a solid metal cavitied casing body having front and back circular face portions with an opening in the front portion making it eiectually open faced, parallel pairs of partition walls extending from the back wall of the casing in T relation across said opening, a cover plate tted and secured in said opening upon a shoulder therein and against said pairs of partition walls, a shackle extending into the casing with an arm slidably journalled in body wall portions of the same on opposite sides of one pair of the partition walls at one side of the casing, a spring pawl member iitted between one of said pairs of partition walls having legs engaging said arm of the shackle between said body wall portions, a stop pin extended through one of the journaling wall portions into engagement with said arm of the shackle to limit its outward sliding movement, a key passage formed in the other of said pairs of partition walls and extending between the legs of said pawl member i or inserting a key to be turned to spread said legs apart in release of the shackle arm, and at least one key ward secured in said passage between said other pair of partition walls with a tting into any of a series of slots formed in one of said other pair of partition walls.

SAMUEL C. SLAYMAKER. 

